It's no surprise, Collins thinks son would be fine head coach

Vaughn McClure, Chicago Tribune reporter

Doug Collins has no problem lobbying for his son, Duke associate head coach Chris Collins.

But the 76ers coach who once led the Bulls draws the line when asked about promoting Chris for jobs that aren't open. That why he won't address rumors linking Chris to Northwestern, where coach Bill Carmody's status is believed to be in jeopardy.

"One thing our family (never does) is talk about a job that isn't open,'' Collins said before Saturday night's Bulls-76ers matchup. "You never talk about another man's job.''

Collins changed his tone when asked about the Illinois vacancy.

"Well, he'd be very interested in that as well,'' Collins said of his son. "He played high school basketball here (Glenbrook North), was Mr. Basketball. He has recruited in this area. He has gotten some of the best players in Illinois to go to Duke. Again, I just think he's going to be a terrific young (head) coach. That's sound like a proud daddy, and I am.''

Chris Collins, 35, played at Duke and became an assistant under Mike Krzyzewski in July 2000.

Rose update:Derrick Rose missed his third consecutive game while nursing a strained groin. His status for Monday night's game against the Magic in Orlando remains unclear.

"We'll see,'' coach Tom Thibodeau said of Rose facing the Magic. "He's day to day.''

Rose has been limited significantly, which doesn't indicate a quick return. Rose did not address the media before the game.

Layups:Richard Hamilton was out of the lineup for the seventh consecutive game with a shoulder injury. … Guard Mike James played for the first time since signing another 10-day contract on Wednesday. He entered the contest late in the first quarter. … Rookie Jimmy Butler rushed to a side room after the morning shootaround to watch his former team, Marquette, take on Murray State in the NCAA tournament. … Collins said second-seeded Duke's upset loss to 15th-seeded Lehigh was especially difficult for his daughter, Kelly, who attended Lehigh but supports her brother.